Lately, God has been putting the topic of "MINISTRY + CALLING" in my heart a lot lately! So if you don't mind, I'll be pouring out some of these downloads from time to time on the blog! If you're intrigued, continue to hang around! There's more coming your way!
Ministry is not for us. But Him! One morning before church, the Lord spoke this quote to my heart that I felt I just HAD to share with the body of Christ. Yes, this includes YOU, the person reading this thinking that "ministry" is NOT an option for your life.
"Your ministry is LOVE. Loving Me, Loving yourself, and Loving others! HOW you love others is your ministry!"
So often, we can become so caught up in what we are doing (the what) and forget the WHY, and the WHO! We get distracted in the details and the IN BETWEEN! I believe God is calling His church to not forget the TRUE purpose of ministry! "BECOMING LOVE". We RE-present Christ to others by BEING Love! We are the ONLY light that some people will ever encounter, before passing away and meeting Him face to face!
Are we representing Him well? Are we stopping in the hustle and bustle to show someone that we acknowledge their presence? Are we listening to the tug of our heart, when the Lord says to pray with an individual, because they may need a caring listener, a gentle smile to remind them God sees? Or, are we so self focused that the only needs we see are ours, and the demands of that day!
We are ALREADY victorious, and know who holds our tomorrows. We even know where we're headed once we're passed from this earth. Look to the person next to you? Do they know that there is a Father Who LOVES them? Do they know that at the name of Jesus, that demons, depression, and negativity falls at the way side? Have they ever encountered the Lord's arms wrap around them with undying love?
You may say, "Jenny, this guy is dealing with some DEMONS! I don't know what it's like to be abused by a dad. I don't know what it's like to have suicidal thoughts. I don't know what it's like to be a loner. I've never been on the street. I've never been molested at an young age."
OK. Understandable. Been there before. But you wanna know what you DO HAVE! You have a real relationship and experience of knowing the King of kings for yourself. You have felt His love and peace melt ALL fear, hurt, confusion away. You felt what it's like to be free from the enemy's captivity. You know what's like to receive a caring hug. You know what's it like to have someone to just smile and say Hey. Not only have you experienced the reception of these things, but I'm sure you have experience of giving it away! Especially one that's in need. A little prayer can go a LONG way! Acknowledging some one's existence can do amazing things for their life!
How I or any one else represent His love may not be how YOU represent His love. We're all unique, but share the same purpose!
You may not preach on stages, write books, teach the bible, or sing. But, you are a person who encounters people EVERY day! Rather they are at your job, your favorite stores, your neighbor hood, hang outs, school, social media, EVERYWHERE!
Guess what! Only YOU can encounter them, and represent Christ the way you do. Someone needs the smile that only you can give. The time and comfort in the way only you are capable of giving it. The gospel, in the way only you can speak it. The LIGHT, in the way only you can shine it. The LOVE, ONLY you can present to them, in that need of time!
How you live your life is a ministry unto the Lord. You are His heart beat to this dying world in need of the Savior's LOVE! Only YOU can give it the way you know how. So give IT! BECOME His heart! Become, LOVE!
Today, I challenge you to take some time out of your "busy" schedule. Look over your to-do list and cross off the "I wanna DO!" Like binge watch Netflix or Hulu, because you've had a stressful day.
Cross it off the list, and spend some time with the Father. Release the stress in His presence, and then ask God to reveal to your heart someone you can show and become love to today!
- Is it a phone call?
- Maybe it's to put down your i-phone and spend some much needed time with the kiddos.
- Is there a friend you keep meaning to call to see how they are, but haven't?
- Maybe, there is an elderly lady next to you on the bus needing prayer and communication, because her family has forgotten about her.
- Is He leading you to go to Wal-Mart, and to watch for opportunities for love, and then act as He leads rather thru word, deed, or emotion?
- Maybe it's to share the gospel with the same homeless man on your corner you keep running into.
Whatever and however, I challenge you to show and become LOVE to this individual.
Have you shown love to anyone today? Or maybe even to yourself? Maybe someone has shown you love! If so, comment below the experience! Would LOVE to celebrate the Lord's moving with you!
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This is a neat post, very encouraging! I've been blessed to have the opportunity to talk about Jesus twice this week when I've been subbing at a public elementary school. Both times, a student asked me a question about Jesus and the Bible, so I was able to answer it. I do realize that to some of these kids, I'm their only connection to Jesus.
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